Shuffleboard cue



Dec. 29, 1964 M. SWARDLICK 6 SHUFFLEBOARD cus Filed June 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR. MURRAY SWARDLICK ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1964 M. SWARDLICK ,163,

SHUFFLEBOARD cur:

Filed June 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MURRAY SWARDLICK ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,163,422 SHUFFLEBOARD CUE Murray Swardliclr, Briny Breezes Park, Lot E-13, Delray Beach, Fla. Fiietl June 20, 1963, Ser. No. 289,213 16 Claims. (U. 273129) This invention relates to shutfieboard cues, and, in particular, to a shufieboard cue having a novel cue head and handle, which is adapted to be used with the cue head for playing shuffieboard, or in the alternative is adapted to be used for garden tools, household implements or the like.

As is perhaps well known, in recent years the number of older persons in the United States has been growing, the older persons often being referred to as senior citizens. A popular game with senior citizens is shuflleboard; and this invention relates to a shufiieboard one which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and the handle for which is adapted for multiple uses. Additionally, the shuffleboard one is adapted for storage in tnailers and small homes of the type in which many senior citizens on fixed incomes reside.

In the well-known game of shufieboard, a puck is propelled by players using cues over a game court which is appropriately sized and marked on a slab of concrete or the like. In so doing, the push elements on the cue heads often become worn from the sliding movements which are used by the players in propelling the puck.

Consequently, these puck-pushing elements must be replaced, and if not replaced, cause the cue to become out of balance and inaccurate in use. This invention discloses a cue for playing shufiieboard which is adapted to have standard shaped puck-pushing elements detach ably mounted thereto.

As is perhaps well known, at various times one shuflieboard player may desire to nest or cradle the playing" puck or disk between a pair of spaced-apart downwardly extending puck-pushing elements which do not reach the ground but push against the outer peripheral edge of a puck; while another player, or indeed, the same player, may at other times, prefer that the puck-pushing elements slide along the ground causing a resistance due to friction of the element itself over and above that of the frictional resistance of the puck itself. The present invention relates to a shufiieboard cue which may be used in either manner. In accordance with the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a shuflieboard cue having a handle which is adapted to be used with garden tools, brooms, mops, and other household implements when not shuffleboard cue having a handle comprising two portions arranged for telescopic engagement with each other where-, by the shufiieboard cue may be readily stored or trans-.

ported in relatively confined spaces.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a shuffieboard cue having a novel cue head which is adapted to the line 77 of FIGURE Patented Dec. 29., 1964 It is an over-all and general object of this invention a V become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings: 1 FIGURE 1 is a partial plan board cue;

FIGURE 2 'is a partialside elevation view of the view .of the instant shufileinstant shuffleboard cue in an attitude generally resembling that of use with the puck-pushing elements touching the surface of a gaming court, said FIGURE 2 being partly in cross section; J

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevation view illustrating an alternative attitude of the instant invention in use with the puck pushing elements nesting against the outer periphery, but not touching the surface of the gaming court;

FIGURE 4 is a partial side elevation'view, partly in cross section, illustrating the mountings for the puck-i pushing elements, said FIGURE 4 being taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the directions of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 i's a' partial side elevation view, partly brokenaway and taken of that area indicated by the arrow 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a partial elevation view, partly in cross section, taken of that area designated by the numeral 6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a' partial front elevation view taken along 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; p

FIG. 8 is apantial front elevation view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is an exploded and partial section of the instant invention; I

FIG. 10 is an elevation view illustrating an alternative use'jof the handle of the instant invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevation view'in cross section illustrating an alternative meansof mounting the puck- 1 pushing elements tothat shown in FIG. 4;

' of FIG. 11 in cross section illustrating the alternative" FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the alternative" embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial side elevation view similar-to that .means' of mounting the puck-pushing element upon rota-.

tion of the handle 180 about its longitudinal axis; and

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view similar to that of FIG. 12 of the alternative embodiment upon rotation of i the handle'lSO" about itslongitudinal axis;

be used with the puck-pushing elements in alternative manners, first in engagement with the ground, or, second, in abutting engagement with the peripheral area of a gaming puck.

It is yet another objectof this invention to provide a 7 novel cue head wherein the pins formounting the puck pushing elements are arranged in a novel structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a placeable puck-pushing elements for the cue head.

. 1'70 shufileboard cue having a replaceable -cue head andre-j 'Referring more particularly to the drawings; wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughoutthe different views, and referring particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, the numeral 11 designates generally a 'shuifieboard cue including (a) a handle. 12

which is in two interlocking portions, a lower portion 13 and an upperportion 14'and (b) a 'cue head 16 manner to the handle.

Referring to those figures illustrating the handle, itis l generally tubular in shape,'-with-the upper and lower portions 13 and- :14 beingtelescopicallyjoined together '7 with the upper portion being sized to accommodate slideable movementbfIthe lower portion therein. Locking means are provided forlimitiug the telescopic extension side view in cross such as by tapering the end 17 of the upper portion in an inward direction, see FIGURE 5, and correspondingly tapering the end 18 of the lower portion, whereby the two portions cooperate to limit extensionable mo vement of the lower portion relative to the upper portion cup shaped cap, generally designated by the numeral 21 and seen in FIGURES 6 and 9, among others, is provided for theupper end 22 of the upper portion- 14. The cap includes a cup-shaped end 23 having an annularlongitudinally extending wall 24 adapted to be in tight abutting encompassing engagement with the end 22. As shown in FIGURE 6, a vessel generally designated 26, which is tubular and of any suitable length and which is adapted to receive a beverage 27. therein, is receivable in the end 22, "said vessel being provided with a first and a second section, the first section being of relatively small diameter and the second section being of a relatively larger diameter, there being a shoulder designated by the numeral 29' disposed between the said sections. The lower section .of relatively small cross sectional area is'designated by the numeral 31 and the upper section of relatively large cross sectional area is designated by'the numeral 32. It is noted that the open end of the beverage vessel 26 is provided with a radially extending lip 28. The vessel '26, which for illustrative purposes is shown to be short, may be adapted to extend substantially along the length of the upper portion of the handle when it is in the collapsed position being disposed in the handle with .the section 31 of the vessel being receivable in the upper end 18 of the lower portion 13 with the face of the end 18 hearing on the lip 28.

Referring to FIG. 9, a female adapter 34, which in-.

cludes a male portion 36 sized for tight insertionin the end 33 of the lower portion 13 and which includesian extending female portion or socket 37 for receiving the stem 38 of a cue head 16 or other household implement,

The cue head 16 comprises the stem 38 which is bifurcated with two extending and diverging arms 39 having spaced apart distal ends 41 and 42 which distal ends are joined by an integral transverse member 43'. As is indicated in FIGURE 4, the arms and transverse member maybe formed 'by bending a length of wire, the ends I of which are inserted in a potted material 8 disposed in the stem. With further reference to FIGURE 4 the stem,

may be provided with a radially extending portion 30 adapted to abut the end face of therfemale socket 37'of" 60 the adapter. As discussed hereinbefore, the integralbifurcated-arms and transverse member are formed of a length of rigid wire bent at the juncture of thearms and i 4 side of said plane, the puck-pushing elements are somewhat shorter in length for a purpose to be described.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 in contrast to FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, it is seen that there are two alternative embodiments shown for the puck-pushing elements and their respective mountings.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8, the pins 49, 51, 52 and 53 extend normal to the plane of the arms and the transverse member. elements on one side' of the instant plane 44 and 46 are truncated providing an inclined face 72. In use and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the longer elements permit a puck to be propelled with a slidable motion, the said elements touching the surface of the game court and abutting the periphery of the game .puck. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, the shorter puck-pushing elements 47 and 48 on the other side of the instant plane are of such a length that, when the handle is rotated 180". relative to its main longitudinal axis, a; game puck may be propelled with the transverse member 43 resting upon the upper surface of the playing puck and the elements pushing against the peripheral sides of the puck only and not touching the surface of the gaming court.

With respect to the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, the pins, 49', 51', 52' and 53' do not extend normal to the plane of the transverse member 43' and arms 39 but, rather, at an angle which inclines them upwardly from the said plane and forwardly in a longitudinal direction away from the handle. (FIG. 13) and51 (FIG. 11) are longer than therelatively short pins 52' (FIG. 13) and 53' (FIG..11) and (see FIG. 13) when the cue is in use, and project in the aforesaid direction at an angle'A' with respect to the surface of a game court, :which angle A is substantially the same as the angle A at which the handle of the cue. is

inclined with reference to the surface of a gaming court. With reference to FIG. 11, the shorter pins 52'and 53 project in the same direction, at an angle A, the said angle A being substantially the same with respect to the surface of a gaming court asthe angle-A at which the handle is inclined with respect thereto in use. Because of the angular arrangement of the pins and their respective lengths, the puck-pushing elements 44', 46', 47' and 48' may be the same length rendering them interchange able, it being noted that these elements are not truncated but'are cylindrical in shape. In use, the transversemember 43 rests on the top surface of the puck when the handle is in the attitude shownin FIGS. 13 and l4'with the elements 47 and 48 out of frictional engagement with the surface of the gaming court. 180 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle,

' see FIGS. 11 and 12, the transverse member does not rest on the top surface of thepuck and the longer pins 49' and 52 permit'the puck to be pushed by the elements as they contact and slide over the surface of the gaming court. It is seen that'because of the angular relation of the pins and one ofFIGS. ll and12, l3 and 14, the pack the transverse member as indicated in' FIG. 4, forming a pair of upwardly anda pair of downwardly projecting pins 49, 51, 52 and 53, over whichpuck-Ipushing elemerits 44, 46, 47 and48'are mounted. Thepuck-pushing elements aregenerally cylindrical inshape and are formed V ofnylon, or-other suitable abrasion-resisting material;j

Each of the puck-pushing elements isprovided in one end thereof with-an axial bore or hole ;into which one of the pins isadapted to be tightly received; .As can 'be seen '-in FIG. 3, for instance, the puck+pushing elg ments on one side of the plane defined'byfthe transverse member, and arms. are of one length, whileon the othersymmetrical construction and interchangeable.

With reference to the disclosure of the relative longer:

puck pushingelernents or pins-on one side. of the plane defined by the armsand transverse member and shorter puck-pushing elements .onpinsjon the other side of the plane, a disk-shaped puck 5t) shown in dotted lines in several'of the figures may be propelled by a shufileboartl cue while the cut is in either of two different attitudes.

Referring to FIG. 2, for instanc e, it is seen thatj sliding surfaces 72' of the puck-pushing elements. extend down wardly from the transverse member a sufiicient. distance The longer puck-pushing.

The pins 49" When the one is rotated.

such that they slide or glide across a gaming court causing a frictional force in addition to that of the main puck Surface sliding against the gaming court. As shown in FIG. 3, for instance, the frictional resistance of that between the puck and the court floor is the only resistance encountered in use when'the cue is rotated 180 about its longitudinal axis, whereby the puck is actually nested or cradled between the elements, which are not in contact with a game court.

It is seen that the puck-pushing elements may be removed from the pins whenever they become worn and new ones supplied merely by pulling them from the pins. Also, the entire cue head may be replaced by simply removing the stem thereof from the female socket. As is illustrated in FIG. 10, various implements such as garden tools or household items 61 provided with a male extension or stem 62 may be positioned for use in the handle.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that an important feature of the disclosure is the fact that the transverse member does no have to be removed in order to select which of the two attitudes in which the shuffleboard cue will be used and the puck-pushing elements may be cylindrical in shape. 7

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in a practicaland preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be awarded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles to that claim..

What is claimed is:

l. A shudieboard cue adapted to be used alternatively in a first or a second attitude of use for propellinga puck over the surface of a gaming court comprising, a

handle including a lower tubular portion and an upper tubular portion in telescopic engagement with one an-- other, and a cue head fastened to said handle, said cue head comprising a bifurcated stern having distal points joined by a transverse member and puck-pushing elements mounted adjacent each juncture of the stemand transverse member, said puck-pushing elements extendingfrom their respective mountings a first equal distance above the main plane of said stem and transverse member, and extending from their respective mountings a second equal distance below the main plane, the first distance being such that the distal surfaces of the elements above the main plane are adapted toslide upon the gaming court surface when 6' one another in a longitudinal direction away from the handle. 3. For attachment to a shufileboard cue handle, a cue head adapted to be mounted at one end of the handle to extend therefrom comprising (a) a bifurcated body including two extending arms joined by a transverse mem-- ber, the said arms and member defining a main plane, and (b) puck-pushing elements mounted adjacent the junctures of the arms and the transverse member with a distal surface on each side of each juncture, the distal surfaces of the elements on either side of the main plane being substantially coplanar with corresponding points on the distal surfaces on either side of the main plane being substantially equidistant from the main plane, the distal surfaces on one side of the main plane being at a greater distance from the main plane than the surfaces on the other side of the main plane with the difference in distance between the distal surfacesof each juncture being such that a puck may be propelled when the cue head is in one attitude of use with the distal surfaces of the elements in sliding engagement with a gaming court surface and, when the'handle is rotated through 180 to a second attitude of use, the distal surfaces of the elements on the other side of the main plane do not touch the court surface and the elements push against the peripheral side only of a puck being propelled. I

4. A cue head attachment for use with a shufheboard handle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the distal surfaces on one side of the main plane are inclined at an angle with respect to the main plane to lie in parallel relation with the surface of a gaming court when a cuefis mounted to the handle and in use. 7 5 e i 5. A shufl eboard cue comprising; (1) a handle including 'a lower portion and an upper portion in telescopic engagement with oneanother and: (2) a cue head removably fastened toone end of the handle, said cue head comprising (a) a bifurcated bodyincluding two extending arms joined by a transversev member, the said arms, member and handle defining a main reference plane, and

(b) puck-pushing elements mounted adjacent the junctureof the arms and the transverse member with a distal sur face on each side of each juncture, the distal surfaces used to propel the puck with the cue in one attitude of use, and the second distance being less than'the' first distance such that the distal surfaces of the elements below' the main plane do not touch the gaming court when pro arms of equal length having distal points joined byv a.

transverse member, puck-pushing elements mountediat said distal points and extending'from' their respective mountings a first equal distance above the rnajinxplane of a e the arms and transversemember and extending from their respective mountings an equal distance below the said main plane, the first distance being such. that the distal surfaces of the elements above the main plane are adapted to slide uponthegamingcour't surface when used to propel the puck with the one in one attitude of use, and the second distance being less than the first distance such that the distal surfaces of the elements below the main plane do not touch the gaming court when propelling the puck with the cue in the other attitude of use and the elements push against the peripheral sides of the puck only; and the elements at each juncture diverging with respect to of the elements on both sides of the main plane being coplanar withcorresponding points on the distal surfaces on either side of the main plane being substantially equidistant from the main plane,- the distal surfaces on one side of the main plane being ata greater distance from the main plane than the surfaces on'the other side of the main plane with the difference in distance between the distal surfaces on each side of the main plane being such thata puck is adapted to be propelled when the cue is in one attitudeof use with the distal surfacesof the element being in sliding engagement with a gaming court surface and the transverse member being spaced above the top surface of the puck and, when the handle is rotated through to a second attitude of use, the distal sur-' faces at. the elements on the other side of the main plane:

do'not'touch the court surface and the elements push againstlthe peripheral side only of a puck being propelled a by the cue.

6. A shufiebo'ard 'cue as set forth in 'claim 5 wherein one of the portions is of a crosssectional area largerthan that. ofthe other portion, each of said portions having a first and a second end, saidfother portion being slidable in said one portion, the first'end of said one portion being I flared inwardly, forming a taper, and the second end of the otherportion being flared outwardly forming a corre;

. aponding'taper' for frictionally locking said portions in an extended position,

having a closed end and an open end and having a first section of relatively small diameter and relatively long length and a second section of relatively larger diameter and shorter in length, there being a shoulder formed between the said sections, the open end being provided with a radially extending lip, said container being normally disposed in the upper end of said handle with the cap abutting said open end, and with the face of the second end of the one portion abutting the lip and the second end of the other portion abutting the shoulder.

8. A shufileboard cue for propelling a puck over the surface of a court comprising a slender handle, and a cue head fastened to said handle, said cue head including diverging arms joined by a transverse member adjacent the respective ends of the arms and parallelpuck-pushing elements mounted adjacent each juncture of the arms and transverse member, said head and handle defining a main plane, said puck-pushing elements being mountedso as to extend from their respective mountings a first equal distance above and a second equal distance below the main plane, the said first distance being greater than the puck thickness, the second distance being less than the puck thickness and the surfaces on the distal ends of the puckpushi-ng elements above the main plane being coplanar and at a distance above the main plane such that the puck is adapted to be propelled over the surface of a gaming court with the distal surfaces sliding over the surface of the court, and, when the cue is rotated through 180 to a second attitude of use, it is adapted to propel apuck with the elements pushing against the peripheral side only of the puck.

9. A shuffieboard one as set forth in claim 8 wherein the handle includes a first and a second portion in telescopic engagement, said handle having an upper and a lower end and each of said portions having a first end and a second end, said second portion being of a larger cross-sectional area than said first portion with the first portion being slidably received in said second portion, the first end of said second portion being flared inwardly, forming a taper and the second end of said first portion being flared outwardly forming a corresponding taper for frictionally interlocking said portions in an extended position.

10. A shuffieboard one as set forth'in claim 9 including a cup-shaped cap mounted over the second end of said second portion extending over a length of the outer periphery adjacent the second end of the second portion and a beverage container comprising an elongated tubular body having a closed end and an open end and having a first section of relatively small diameter and relatively long length and a second section of relatively larger diameter and shorter in length, there being a shoulder formed between said sections, the open end being provided with a radially extending lip, said container being normaly disposed in the upper end of said handle with the cap abutting-said open end and with the face of the second end of the second portion abutting the lip and with the second end of the first portion abutting the shoulder when the first portion is telescopicallyhoused substantially within the second portion.-

' 11. A shufiieboard cue for propelling a' pi lck over a gaming court including a handle, and a, cue head re- :(b) puck-pushing elements mountedfadjacent the juncture of the arms and the transverse member with a distal ingQpoints on the distal surfaces on one side of the.

main plane being at a greater distance from the main 7 plane than the puck thickness and corresponding points in all of the puck-pushing elements are of a same length so as to be interchangeable with one another.

'13. A shufileboard cue as set forth in claim 11 wherein the handle includes a first and a second portion in telescopic engagement with one another. 7

14. A shuflleboard cue as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first portion is of greater area than the second portion to slidably receive the second portion therein, each of said portions including a first end and a second end, the first end of said first portion being-flared inwardly, forming a taper, and the second end of said second portion being flared outwardly forming a corre sponding taper for frictional interlocking the said portions in an extended position.

15. A shuflieboard cue asset forth in claim 14 including a cup-shaped cap mounted over the second end of said first portion and extending over the length ofthe outer periphery adjacent the second end of the first portion; and a beverage container comprising an elongated tubular body having a closed end and an open end and having a first section of relatively small diameter, and

larger diameter and shorter in length, there being a shoulder formed between said sections, the open endbeing providedwith a radially extending lip, said container being normally disposed in the upper end of said handle with the cap abutting said open end, and with the face of the second end of the first portion abutting the lip and the second end of the second portion abutting the shoulder'when the lower portion is telescopically housed within the first portion. 16. For attachment to a shufiieboard cue handle, (a

a cue head including a stem and a member connected to the stern defining a main reference plane with a distal edge and (b) puck pushing elements extending above and below the main plane mounted to the member adjacent the distal edge at a pair of spaced points on a line substantially perpendicular to the stem, the distal surfaces on'either side of the main plane being substantially coplanar with the corresponding points on the distal surfaces on either side 'of the main plane being substantially equidistant from the main plane, the distal surfaces on one side of the main plane being ata first distance away from the main plane which is greater than the thickness of a shufileboard puck to be propelledby main plane being at a second distance awayfrom the main plane which is less than thethickness of a shufllee 7 board puck to be propelled, wherebyv the attachment is adapted to be used in two attitudes of use, one in which the puck pushing element surfaces slidingly engage the surface of a gaming court in use. and the other when 'movably fastened to one' end of the 'handle, said head comprising (a) a bifurcated body including two extend- ,ing arms joined by a transverse member, said arms, handle and transverse member defining a main plane, and

the. puck'pushin'g elements only, engage the .sides ofthe periphery of the shuflieboardpuck .and do not touch the gaming court. a t

V References Cited the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS V 2/91 Thor'p 15145 446,901 2,639,804 I 5/53 Merahn "273.-162 X 2,717,780 9/55 Mantz 273 1 29 RICHARD c.- PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. DELBERT' B: LOWE, Examiner;

4/58 Strub 273-129 

1. A SHUFFLEBOARD CUE ADAPTED TO BE USED ALTERNATIVELY IN A FIRST OR A SECOND ATTITUDE OF USE FOR PROPELLING A PUCK OVER THE SURFACE OF A GAMING COURT COMPRISING, A HANDLE INCLUDING A LOWER TUBULAR PORTION AND AN UPPER TUBULAR PORTION IN TELESCOPIC ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND A CUE HEAD FASTENED TO SAID HANDLE, SAID CUE HEAD COMPRISING A BIFURCATED STEM HAVING DISTAL POINTS JOINED BY A TRANSVERSE MEMBER AND PUCK-PUSHING ELEMENTS MOUNTED ADJACENT EACH JUNCTURE OF THE STEM AND TRANSVERSE MEMBER, SAID PUCK-PUSHING ELEMENTS EXTENDING A FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE MOUNTINGS A FIRST EQUAL DISTANCE ABOVE THE MAIN PLANE OF SAID STEM AND TRANSVERSE MEMBER, AND EXTENDING FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE MOUNTINGS A SECOND EQUAL DISTANCE BELOW THE MAIN PLANE, THE FIRST DISTANCE BEING SUCH THAT THE DISTAL CURFACES OF THE ELEMENTS ABOVE THE MAIN PLANE ARE ADAPTED TO SLIDE UPON THE GAMING COURT SURFACE WHEN USED TO PROPEL THE PUCK WITH THE CUE IN ONE ATTITUDE OF USE, AND THE SECOND DISTANCE BEING LESS THAN THE FIRST DISTANCE SUCH THAT THE DISTAL SURFACES OF THE ELEMENTS BELOW THE MAIN PLANE DO NOT TOUCH THE GAMING COURT WHEN PROPELLING THE PUCK WITH THE CUE AND IN THE OTHER ATTITUDE OF USE AND THE ELEMENTS PUSH AGAINST THE PERIPHERAL SIDES OF THE PUCK ONLY. 